Pressurized fluid tank reserve system

Abstract

A storage device for a pressurized fluid includes a main container having an exterior. A reserve container is within the main container. A first valve is operatively connected to the reserve container. The first valve is a one-way valve. The first valve admits pressurized fluid from the main container to the reserve container and prevents fluid from flowing through the valve from the reserve container to the main container. A second valve is operatively connected to the reserve container. The second valve has an actuator accessible from the exterior of the main container for opening the second valve to discharge pressurized fluid from the reserve container to the main container.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A storage device for a pressurized fluid, comprising: 
 a main container having an exterior;    a reserve container within the main container;    a first valve operatively connected to the reserve container, the first valve being a one-way valve, the first valve admitting pressurized fluid from the main container to the reserve container and preventing fluid from flowing through the valve from the reserve container to the main container; and    a second valve operatively connected to the reserve container, the second valve having an actuator accessible from the exterior of the main container for opening the second valve to discharge pressurized fluid from the reserve container to the main container.    
     
     
         2 . A device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the first valve is within the main container.  
     
     
         3 . A device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the main container is a propane storage tank.  
     
     
         4 . A device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the main container has a threaded aperture, the reserve container having a male threaded portion threadedly received in the aperture.  
     
     
         5 . A device as claimed in  claim 4 , wherein the reserve container is tubular.  
     
     
         6 . A device as claimed in  claim 4 , wherein the reserve container has a top and a bottom, the main container has a top and a bottom, the threaded aperture being on the top of the main container and the threaded portion being adjacent to the top of the reserve container.  
     
     
         7 . A device as claimed in  claim 6 , wherein the first valve is adjacent to the bottom of the reserve container.  
     
     
         8 . A device as claimed in  claim 6 , wherein the second valve is adjacent to the top of the main container and the reserve container, the reserve container having a passageway near the top of the reserve container, the second valve normally closing the passageway.  
     
     
         9 . A device as claimed in  claim 8 , wherein the actuator is a button mounted on the top of the main container, the second valve opening the passageway when the button is pushed.  
     
     
         10 . A device as claimed in  claim 6 , wherein the reserve container is dimensioned between the threaded portion and the bottom thereof to fit through the threaded aperture.  
     
     
         11 . A device as claimed in  claim 5 , wherein the main container has a top and a bottom, the reserve container being flexible and longer than a distance between the top and bottom of the main container.  
     
     
         12 . A device as claimed in  claim 11 , wherein the reserve container is dimensioned to fit through the threaded aperture, the reserve container being coiled within the main container.  
     
     
         13 . A reserve storage container for a pressurized fluid, comprising: 
 an elongated body having a top and a bottom with a male threaded portion adjacent to the top thereof;    a one-way first valve of the body which admits pressurized fluid into the body and prevents fluid from flowing through the valve from the body; and    a second valve having an actuator adjacent to the top of the body which opens the second valve to discharge pressurized fluid from the body.    
     
     
         14 . A container as claimed in  claim 13 , wherein the body has a passageway adjacent to the top thereof, the second valve opening the passageway when the actuator is moved.  
     
     
         15 . A container as claimed in  claim 14 , wherein the container is sufficiently narrow between the threaded portion and the bottom thereof so the container can fit through a threaded female opening which threadedly engages the male threaded portion after the container is inserted through the female opening.  
     
     
         16 . A container as claimed in  claim 14 , wherein the container has a male threaded portion and is configured to fit within a propane storage tank with the male threaded portion threadedly engaging a female threaded opening on the propane storage tank.  
     
     
         17 . A container as claimed in  claim 16 , wherein the body is tubular.  
     
     
         18 . A container as claimed in  claim 13 , wherein the first valve is adjacent to the bottom of the body and the second valve is adjacent to the top of the body.  
     
     
         19 . A container as claimed in  claim 17 , wherein the elongated body is flexible.